Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its grave concern, and condemns the assault of Faridpur representative of the Daily Prothom Alo for publication of a news report.

According to the newspapers, Panna Bala, Faridpur correspondent of the Daily Prothom Alo, was physically assaulted on May 6, 2012 because of his report titled “Road Blocked for Meeting of the Labour Minister” published on May 3, 2012. We think, such an attack on a journalist for publication of a news report is a direct intimidation to the freedom of press. We strongly condemn this attack. It is however, reported that after the occurrence Khandaker Mohtesham the brother of the Labour Minister and the Secretary for Relief of district Awami League Mokarram Miah went to the press club, and they regretted and apolozised for the assult and also promised to take disciplinary steps against the perpetrators. The local journalists demanded arrest of the perpetrators within 48 hours. But the local administration could not arrest any person, even after 48 hours of the incident. We are seriously concerned about such slothness of the law enforcing agencies.

We expect that the administration will play an effective role to safeguard the freedom of press and human rights by taking proper steps against the persons responsible for the attack upon proper investigation.